Room design, explained plainly
Rooms that work first and look good second
Researched guides and simple calculators for layout, color, lighting, furniture and finishing, for anyone with a room that does not feel right yet.
- 11 guides
- 5 topics
- 5 tools
Browse by room problem
Pick the part of the room that bothers you most.
Start with these
The guides most people need first. Swipe through.
New here?
Not sure where to start?
The start-here page gives you a simple order to follow, with links to the most useful guides and tools.
Start hereAll guides
Browse every guide by topic.
Color & MaterialsHow to Test Paint Samples Before Choosing a Room Colour
Room Layouts · VariesHow to Zone an Open-Plan Living Room
Color & Materials · FreeHow to Mix Wood Tones in a Room Without a Clash
Furniture Choices · VariesWhat Size Rug for Living, Dining and Bedroom
Lighting · VariesWhy Your Room Feels Dark With the Lights On
Room Layouts · VariesHow to Make a Small Room Look Bigger
Furniture Choices · VariesHow to Choose Furniture That Fits a Room
Decor Finishing · VariesHow to Decorate a Room Without Clutter
Room Layouts · FreeHow to Arrange Furniture in a Room: Layout Guide
Color & Materials · VariesColor Palette and Materials for a Cohesive Room
Lighting · VariesBest Room Lighting: Layers, Bulbs and Placement
Tools you can use today
No sign-up. They work on the page.
Rug Size Calculator for Living Room, Dining Room and BedroomFind a standard rug size from your furniture and room size, using common rules for living, dining and bedroom rugs and a bare-floor check at the walls.Room Lighting Calculator: How Many Lumens Does a Room Need?Estimate the lumens a living room, bedroom, kitchen or office needs from its size and surfaces, with color temperature and how many light sources to use.Curtain Size Calculator: Rod Width, Length and PanelsWork out rod height, rod width, curtain length and how many panels to buy from your window and ceiling measurements, using common hanging rules.Room Finishing Checklist (Printable Room Refresh Audit)A printable room refresh checklist in the right order: layout, rug, light, color, textiles and small objects, with tick boxes saved in your browser.Room layout planning methods compared: tape, paper, apps and designersChoose how to plan a room layout: tape, paper cutouts, floor-plan apps, 3D tools or a paid designer, with typical costs, limits and best uses.
- Checked against sourcesFigures are compared with published guidance and dated.
- No brand pitchesProduct types and typical prices. No affiliate links.
- Fixes are loggedWhen a guide changes, it is recorded with the date.




